Antigoneby Sophocles :Antigoneby Sophocles


Background on Antigone :Background on Antigone Antigone is one of series of 3 plays: Oedipus Rex and Oedipus at Colonus complete the trilogy All 3 deal with the curse of Oedipus and how it affects his family for generations Curse: Prophecy to the king and queen of Thebes that their son will kill his father and marry his mother “Oedipus Complex”


The Chorus :The Chorus


Greek Masks :Greek Masks


Greek Masks :Greek Masks The use of masks in ancient Greek theater draw their origin from the ancient Dionysian cult. The members of the chorus wore masks, usually similar to each other but completely different from the leading actors Because the number of actors varied from one to three, they had to put on different masks, in order to play more roles. The actors were all men. The mask was therefore necessary to let them play the female roles.


Slide 6:a tragedy written in 442 BC by Sophocles chronologically the third of the three Theban plays but was written first Oedipus the King Oedipus at Colonus Antigone


Slide 7:After Oedipus is exiled, he leaves the ruling rights of Thebes to his two sons, Eteocles and Polynieces who must take it in turns to rule. Eteocles rules first but the two becomes enemies after Eteocles refuses to give up the throne, and Polynieces is exiled. At the beginning of the play, both brothers are dead, apparently slain by the other's hand.


Slide 8:The current ruler, Creon, has made a decree: Since Polynieces fought against Thebes, he shall not be buried. Meanwhile, Eteocles is to be buried with full military honors.


Slide 9:Antigone, the daughter of Oedipus and the sister of the dead brothers, believes this proclamation to be against the gods' orders. She confides her plan to bury Polynices herself to her sister Ismene. The more timid of the two, Ismene refuses to take part out of fear, but agrees with her motive.


Why study Antigone? :Why study Antigone? Ancient Greek Drama is the basis for all modern drama and film The story gives many important clues to the Ancient Greek culture and character Tragedies still contain the basic elements that they originated with


Relevance of Antigone :Relevance of Antigone Sympathy for Antigone and Haemon Woman with audacity to challenge a male dominated world Vindictiveness of the King Right of a human being to dispute an unjust law Broader political allegory of Sophocles


Enduring Understanding :Enduring Understanding To what degree will you go to preserve self-interest versus acting on behalf of the common good?


Essential Questions :Essential Questions 1. Is it more important to be right than to be happy? 2. Is it our responsibility to rebel against and break an unjust law? 3. What price should a person be willing to pay if he/she breaks an unjust law? 4. Can a leader show uncertainty and maintain leadership?


Sophocles’ Characterisation :Sophocles’ Characterisation Chorus – Cautious, indecisive, discreet Guard – More courage and less wisdom Ismene – Passive and obedient Haemon – Importance of Reasoning Antigone – Uncompromising Realist Creon – Petty and intolerant


Slide 15:Pathos Pathos appeals rely on emotions and feelings to persuade the audience They are often direct, simple, and very powerful


Logos :Logos “Logos appeals” rely on the audience’s intelligence to persuade them. Education causes audiences to be more skeptical of emotional arguments and more receptive to logos


Ethos :Ethos Ethos is a person’s credibility with a given audience. It can mean sincerity, authority, expertise, faithful, or any adjective that describes someone you can trust to do the right thing.


What is rhetoric? :What is rhetoric? Aristotle defines rhetoric as The faculty or ability to discover all available means of persuasion in a given situation. Rhetoric is the counterpart of “dialectic,” a type of formal reasoning that leads to truth. Rhetoric is what allows us to communicate these truths.